Students impressions

Academy of Art in Szczecin

Tom (Israel)

Before I arrive Szczecin, I wrote an application letter to the academy, in this letter I wrote about that My family is originally from Poland. My grandparents, were very involved in raising me, telling me stories of what their youth in Poland was like, their memories from magical childhood, summer vacation on the seashore of the Baltic Sea, and walking in the forest. I got a glimpse to those stories, I was walking in the forest while it’s snows, I visited the Baltic sea, I have eaten polish dish.
I also wrote about the Polish side of my identity is something I have been exploring in my artwork, mainly examining the relationship between memory, family, and inherited narrative. This opportunity to live in a place that has shaped me through my family’s memories provide me with a new point of view to examine these questions. During this proses I was able to display to exhibition in the academy gallery a unique opportunity to student of the academy.
I recommend this experience to everybody who interesting about experience a beautiful culture with welcoming people, beautiful architecture, and great parks.

Zephaniah (Kenya)
I would like to sincerely thank you for the great mobility experience you provided during my stay in Szczecin. This was more than I ever expected. From the warming interactions between lectures and our fellow students to the acquisition of new skills during the stay. One of the students taught us photography and thanks to the mobility funds provided, I was able to save and purchase a camera pursuing photography as a new avenue. I got to learn more about different cultures, places, even experience different weather conditions away from Kenya. I am also grateful for the exhibition we had during the end of the mobility with my classmate, Ana, as well as the opportunity of displaying our works in the local galleries. There is so much more to talk about but in summary, I would like to thank you for always being there when we needed guidance and making our life as Erasmus students pleasant. All I can say is Dziękuję.

Ana (Georgia)
This is my exhibition video, where i say thank you to you also :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDN-iQH3ogA
wanted to share it with you
thank you for everything
all the best wishes
Ana

Viacheslav (Russian Federation)
I studied at the Academy of Arts in Szczecin at the vocal faculty. Participating in the Erasmus program and studying at the Academy of Arts in Szczecin was a great experience for me! I am very glad that I had the opportunity to study at this university in this beautiful city. The atmosphere and architecture of the academy is incredible, it is a pleasure to study in a building filled with such a rich history. All the teachers and students of the academy were very responsive and friendly. Thanks to the teachers of the academy, I gained good knowledge and was able to improve my vocal abilities. During my studies at the Academy of Art, I took part in many concerts and events of the Academy, received excellent knowledge from excellent teachers, learned the Polish language, I had the opportunity to travel and I visited almost all the big cities of Poland, such as Warsaw, Poznan, Lodz, Krakow, Torun, Wroclaw, I found a lot of good friends, got very close to the culture of the country and to some extent Poland became my second homeland. I am sincerely grateful to all the teachers and students of the academy! It was the best time of my studies, filled with positive emotions and impressions that I will remember all my life!
Слава

Ella (Israel)
Many people asked me every time- why did I chose to do my extheing student in Poland and
especially in Szczecin?
In fact, I had no choice at all. Even though, I feel that I won big.
In the last half years I received a possibility of blossoming my art, experimenting with new
techniques, teaching methods that helped me open my mind even more. I did not expect for
this significant contact with students and lecturers. I had the pleasure to study in the
environment that believes so believe in art and in the field of design and not compromise on
learning and professionalism. Im glad to go back home but it is definitely hard to leave.
Thank you all
Ella

Ana (Spain)
About the impressions of my Eramus stay at your academy:
When I decided to study one year abroad with the Erasmus+ programme I chose Poland because of my professor and I chose the Univerity of Arts of Szczecin because we had an agreement between the academies and because I asked for information about the proffessors.
The relationship with the professors and the students was really good (of course I was closed with some students and not so close with others) but the ambient was okay. For me there were only two problems: that we were the first erasmus student of the music academy and the language, because it was complicated to communicate in english ( but it wasn't impossible and I could learn a little bit of polish).
The academy and the dormitory were on the center of the city and the buildings were beautiful. At academy I didn't have a lot of problems to have a sala to practice so it was really good and the schedule was amazing: from 6 am to 10 pm.
I'm really happy with the decision that I made, I think that Erasmus is always a good experience that we should try once. I suggest you to try it, you won't regret it!

Thank you very much for everything,
Greetings,
Ana

Eva (Czechia)
Before coming to Szczecin I never really visited Poland even though I am from Prague, which is not that far away. This was my second Erasmus, last year I went to England and this year I wanted to try something opposite and see the more Eastern part of Europe. Szczecin surprised me a lot, it is a smaller city but it has everything that is needed. I’ve heard it is a lot different than other Polish cities, the architecture and the whole vibe have blown me away. But the most I was surprised of were the people. Everyone was really helplful and friendly and I am glad I’ve met so many local students my age and saw how they live for art. I think I have never seen such focused students that love what they do and are trying to push the art boundries and also change the city into a new cultural place. Also it is very rare to see the teachers to encourage and motivate students like they do in this Academy. I really enjoyed how open minded and contemporary this Academy is and I am very proud it is improving so quickly even though it has existed just for a few years. It was truly an honor studying here.

Thank you and kind regards,
Eva

Zdena (Czechia)

WHY POLAND
One from reasons why I chose Akademia Sztukiis that this univerzity has similar study programme as my university in the Czech republic.
With my friend Kamila Pokorná, we said, why not Poland? This state is similar to our country, we have a few „same“ words, so lets go.
STUDIES IN POLAND
We were really surprised, how it is different to our system of education. E.G. your best mark is 5, our is 1.
In our country we have one the most important artistic subject in our choosen specialisation which is also main artistic exam for us. We must succesfully defend it in the end of semester.This subject (exam) is the most superior than others component subjects during semester and it means that we have more time for do it. But in Szczecin we have a lot of important artistic exams and not much time for do it very well.
The building of Adameia Sztuki are really nice with full equipment. Although there were language barrier, we had support in teachers and also in classmates. We are grateful that we can met students from all classes, different ages and studios- ilustration, old graphic techniques, painting, computer graphic, studio of posters etc.
THE CITY AND TRIPS
Thecity is beautiful. Large roads with old buildings from brickes. Aroma of chocolate floats near to the river. Beautiful gardens. We often went to the river or into the park to walk there.
Thanks to cheap tickets in trains, we made some trips arounds. E.g. to the Swinoujscie to look the sea or in to the Miedzyzdroje.
Generally said, it were really nice four months in our life, full of experiences and both time to time remember for that with smile.

Zdena

Lior (Israel)
Akademia Sztuki – Student exchange review
I studied at Akademia Sztuki in Szczecin, at the painting and new media department for the spring semester, and I had a great stay. I was treated with a very welcoming and professional manner.
From my stay I have gained much knowledge and experience. This department specialize in different media, from painting and drawing to photography, video-art, performance, audio and more.
I felt very comfortable to consult with the professors about my artistic projects.
I was mostly impressed by the many facilities that the institute had to offer: Many painting studios, computer workshops, and everything is well-equipped (for example: with cinematic and audio equipment, VR stations, motion tracker suits, 3D scanners and more). There is technical support when you need it.
There are many opportunities for the students, and I had the privilege to have my own exhibition there.
If you are interested in improving your skills and gaining experience - I highly recommend Akademia Sztuki.
Lior

Galeria OS 17

Students from Israel - exhibition (January 2022)